Musharraf Urges De-escalation in Pak-Indian Relations

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, April 02, 2002

Musharraf Urges De-escalation in Pak-Indian Relations

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Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf Monday called for de-escalation in tension between Pakistan and India in the interests of both the countries, according to the Associated Press of Pakistan.

In an interview with Indian daily "The Hindu," Musharraf said, "We want friendship. In the immediate context we need to de- escalate. I am saying all this in sincerity that we need to de- escalate in the interests of both the countries."

Musharraf reiterated his desire for peace in the region and to resolve all outstanding disputes with India.

He said, "I would like you to convey this to the people of India and to the Indian media that I am open to peace in the region. We want peace in the region. We want to resolve all disputes."

However, he made it clear that the Kashmir dispute has to be accepted as the main issue.

"Let us not be naive, let us not bluff ourselves -- Kashmir is the main issue. We will discuss every issue but Kashmir has to be accepted as the main issue."

Musharraf warned, "If India thinks I am saying because it is going to bleed us, they are sadly mistaken."

"You want to stay one year or two years or five years on the border, we are prepared to stay five years on the border," he said.

About how close have the two countries been to war since December last, Musharraf said, "Even now, I see closeness to war from two points, you have to gauge the intention and the capability of any opponent. When you are talking rhetoric, you have the intention but if the force is not there to convert that intention into practical action, one is safe. The moment you bring in force, you deploy forces, you develop a capability. And when the intention and capability both are there, then it is extremely explosive."

He said India had come close to war "when the entire Air Force, entire hi-tech aircraft of the Indian Air Force, was massed on our borders, major part of the Army including forces from the Eastern Command coming all the way from the Bangladesh-Assam area coming all the way here and spending that kind of money, may I say, without much purpose. They had come here against us. So this is the capability being developed."

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